ean Little’s most recent book, The Sweetest one of all, is a picture book for very young children and their parents. In it, barnyard animal babies ask their mothers who they are and each of them is told that he or she is the sweetest one of all. The book ends with a human mother telling her little one the same thing. And getting a loving hug in response. The playful text should continue to delight both children and adults even after many readings.

The colourful illustrations by Marisol Sarrazin are endearing and filled with lively detail. Each will hold small readers spellbound.

Jean Little

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ean Little is recognized throughout Canada and the United States for her candid and unsentimental portrayals of adolescent life. Once a teacher of handicapped children, Little herself is only partially sighted, and she uses much of her real-life experience as the basis for her books.

Ten-year-old Min has had a long history of foster care since being abandoned in a public washroom at age three. When Min is dumped by her latest foster mother just before Christmas, Jess Hart, a former Children’s Aid doctor who knows min and sees past her hardened shell, decides to take her home for a couple of weeks to see how the two of them get along. Jess has long had thoughts of a becoming Min’s official foster mother, or even adopting her. On their way to find a Christmas tree, Min finds a young dog that’s near death and brings it home. As the dog’s timidness and distrust of people begins to lesson, Min realizes how much she has herself been “walling” people out. Min starts to open up, makes some new friends and event stands up to her old nemesis, the bullying and taunting Laird. This is a story of and abandoned dog helping and abandoned girl open her heart and let in a new family. Jean Little’s incredible gift for portraying emotion and creating real people shines in this touching novel.